Reading Recommendations

Besides the traditional COC, In Search of Christian Freedom, etc. books that help facilitate one's journey out, please feel free to share the titles you found helpful to your own growth after leaving the organization.

"New Testament Words" by William Barcly rekindled my excitement for the Bible. Its not a dictionary, but he chooses about 30 prevelant and relevant Greek Bible words and expounds on them. He shows how the word was used at the time thus helping you see what would have been the understanding of the word to those hearing or reading it at the time.

Any book by Alice Miller I recommend. She has helped me understand the Nature of Humans. Her insights have changed me and help me understand myself for the first time in my life.

Patio and Nothingman,Thanks for sharing your recommendations! I have always enjoyed reading, and am especially interested in books that will help further my journey out of the organization. The Postman and author Alice Miller sound like the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

What do I recommend? To be honest, I've only read COC and Jehovah Lives in Brooklyn, and LOTS of personal experiences and information on the Web. I'm going to order In Search of Christian Freedom from the library and wanted to compile a list of others that I can check out too. After this semester I'll have more time to devote to finishing a book.

I recommend some fiction because it helps open the doors of yor perception, especially for those of us who were so closed-minded as cultists. Here are some of my faves that helped expand my horizons:

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin. In fact, almost anything of hers will help pry your mind open, but this one was especially wonderful for me.

Towing Jehovah, by Robert Morrow

anything by Tom Robbins. His take on religion is incredibly refreshing and he is a screamingly funny writer.

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Follow this with other Vonnegut but be careful. His work is deceptively simple but idea-rich, you can get overloaded before you realize. Sirens of Titan and Slaughterhouse-Five are my choices for #2, then take a break before you read more of his stuff!

I hope you'll try some of these. Let me know if you found this helpful?

I think this really depends on the individual.. Everyone is different, even those who are just leaving the WTS. I personally like short stuff that makes you think a lot, but that may not be for everyone. Some lean toward science, for others an investigation of other religions (some are arguably more a school of philosophy than a religion) may be what's needed. Can you tell us a little bit about your taste in reading material Kristen?